Long Island-born, Fredericksburg-based rapper ACE MEDA4 just released his first full-length Life / Stories, a no-gimmicks statement that plants him squarely in the lane he calls adult contemporary rap. No viral stunts, no industry plug, just a Roosevelt native who grew up on golden-era lyricism and decided the grown-ups still deserve bars that hit like they used to. He bridges that 90s/early-2000s craftsmanship with a 2025 mindset, delivering stories and reflections for people who never stopped loving hip-hop—they just outgrew the kiddie table. Today the album is out everywhere, speaking directly to that crowd.
From the opening blast of “WE IN HERE” featuring Rayla Devine—pure entrance music with knocking production and relentless flow—to the sun-drenched West Coast bounce of “NOBODY” that nods at Dr. Dre without copying homework, the tracklist keeps shifting shapes. “LIKE I LOVE YOU” slides in funky rhythm guitar and a laid-back groove that proves he’s not afraid to stretch. Every cut feels lived-in, the kind of record where the beats serve the message instead of stealing the show.
ACE MEDA4 explained the split in the title: “A way to express and share parts of myself and my perspective while also exploring concepts and thoughts outside of myself. Hence the split in the title. Some things are life, some things are stories, both come from my mind.“
Stream Life / Stories: